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You have taken a massive step forward towards winning your VA mental health claim.
After dealing with the frustration of a denied VA disability claim or a rating that doesn’t reflect your daily life, you reached out to VMHA. You completed your comprehensive evaluation with one of our expert psychologists. Now, you have received your Independent Medical Opinion (IMO) or Nexus Letter.
Holding that document in your hands can feel like a relief. Finally, someone has listened and documented your story professionally. This is a huge milestone.
Having the document is only half the battle. What you do next is critical to the success of your claim outcomes. A powerful tool is useless if you don’t know how to wield it. Many veterans make simple mistakes at this stage that delay their claims by months. We don’t want that to happen to you.
Our mission at VMHA is to increase the quality of life for our veteran community by helping you get the benefits you deserve. We provide high-quality medical evidence to help you win your claim. Now, we are going to walk you through exactly how to use that evidence.
Here is your step-by-step guide on what to do once you receive your IMO.
Before you rush to upload anything to the VA, you need to stop and read. The very first thing you must do is carefully review the entire document.
At VMHA, we want you to be engaged. While the medical opinion belongs solely to the licensed psychologist, the facts belong to you. We strive for perfection, but we are human. More importantly, we want you to feel empowered by what is written about you. We want you to understand the medical evidence that is being submitted on your behalf.
What should you be looking for during your review?
You are checking for factual accuracy regarding your personal history and service history.
What are some examples of things you should be looking for?
What if you find a factual error?
If you see a mistake—for example, the report says you served in 2005 but you actually served in 2015—let us know immediately. We will correct factual errors quickly.
What you cannot change:
You cannot ask the doctor to change their professional medical opinion, diagnosis, or clinical findings just because you wish they were different. Our reports are highly valued by the VA specifically because they are honest, ethical, and based on clinical evidence, not just what a veteran wants to hear. Our reputation for high-quality, trustworthy work is what helps your claim succeed.
This is one of the most common mistakes veterans make.
Let’s say you approached the VA process thinking you have anxiety. However, after a thorough, evidence-based examination, our expert psychologist diagnoses you with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and writes a strong IMO supporting that diagnosis. When you submit your claim to the VA, you must file for PTSD.
Do not file a claim for “anxiety” and then attach a report that diagnoses “PTSD.” The VA claims process is bureaucratic. VA raters need things to match clearly. If you file a claim for Condition A, but your evidence is entirely for Condition B, you risk confusing the rater or having the claim denied because the evidence doesn’t support the specific condition you claimed.
Your VMHA report will clearly state the diagnosis. Use that exact language when filing your new claim or supplemental claim. This ensures your claim and your evidence are perfectly aligned, making the VA rater’s job easier—which means you get a decision faster.
You have your reviewed, accurate IMO. You know what diagnosis to claim. Now, how do you get it into the VA’s hands?
There are three primary ways to submit your private medical evidence. We strongly recommend digital methods for speed and tracking.
This is generally the fastest and most reliable method. The VA has a digital portal specifically for uploading documents. You can scan your IMO (if you printed it) or simply upload the PDF file you received from us.
If you already have an open claim visible on your VA.gov dashboard, you can often upload additional evidence directly to that claim file.
If you are not comfortable with technology, you can mail a physical copy of your IMO to the VA Evidence Intake Center.
Why is certified mail necessary?
The VA system is massive. Things get lost in the mail. According to the VA’s Annual Benefits Report for Fiscal Year 2023, there are over 6 million veterans receiving disability compensation. That is millions of files moving around. Using Certified Mail proves that you sent the document and proves that the VA received it. Without that little green card (the return receipt), you have no proof if the VA says they never got your evidence.
You have the medical evidence from us, but maybe the actual process of logging into VA.gov and filling out the claim forms feels overwhelming. That is completely normal. The VA system is complicated.
You do not have to do the paperwork alone.
If you are uncomfortable filing the claim yourself, we highly recommend using a Veteran Service Officer (VSO). VSOs are trained professionals—often working for organizations like the VFW, DAV, or American Legion, or for county governments—who assist veterans with filing claims for free.
A VSO knows exactly which forms to use. They can take your IMO from VMHA, ensure the claim form is filled out with the matching diagnosis, and submit the entire package for you. VMHA is trusted by many VSOs because they know our work is ethical, thorough, and ready for the VA standards.
If you need help finding a reputable VSO in your area to assist with the final filing steps, please let our support team know. We can help point you in the right direction.
We know that receiving the report feels like a big moment. Other veterans have stood exactly where you are right now. They received their high-quality nexus letter from our in-house team and used it to change their lives.
Here is what one veteran shared in a Google review about the quality of the final product:
“VMHA was heaven sent! I have had a really rough time researching and finding a company that felt compassionate and trustworthy then along came the VMHA team. Everyone was so accommodating and transparent in the process and I couldn’t have asked for a better group of individuals. The most compassionate, understanding and professional psychologist that one could ever dream of. Her attention to detail, diagnosis expertise and nexus letter was the prize. I could go on and on but everyone PLEASE don’t go thru this process alone. Give VMHA a try and see for yourself. The small fee is nothing compared to the big reward this company offers in return!! Therefore it’s your best investment”
— Harvey P., Verified Google Review
No. The VA is never “automatic.” They are required by law to consider all competent medical evidence, including your new IMO. However, they will weigh it against other evidence in your file, including previous C&P exams. This is why quality matters. A generic, poorly written letter will be dismissed by the VA. But a high-quality, thorough report from VMHA, based on extensive training and supervision, carries significant weight. We provide the strongest possible evidence to give you the best chance of success.
Yes, if they support the IMO. For example, if you have been seeing a private therapist for years for depression, and your VMHA IMO references those years of treatment, it is very helpful to submit those therapy notes alongside the IMO. The IMO is the summary argument; your treatment records are the supporting data.
It enters the VA “waiting game.” The VA will review the new evidence. They may order a new C&P exam, or they may make a decision based solely on the new evidence you provided. You can track the status on VA.gov.
Receiving your IMO from VMHA is a major milestone. You now possess a high-quality piece of medical evidence designed to translate your mental health struggles into language the VA understands.
Don’t fumble on the one-yard line. Review the document for facts. Claim the exact diagnosis written in the report. Submit it digitally if possible, or via certified mail if necessary. And do not hesitate to use a VSO if you need help with the paperwork.
You have armed yourself with the best possible evidence. Now, take that final step and file your claim with confidence.
Have more questions?
Email customer service at customerservice@vmhaforvets.com
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